MRS. MARGARET A. HARRISON is a daughter of Andrew Bryce, a native of Scotland, who was there married to Jane Gilchrist. Mr. And Mrs. Bryce settled in Fayette county, Penn., where he followed the trade of miller, conducting the mill at Merrittstown for many years. Mrs. Margaret A. Harrison had two sons by her former marriage, October 14, 1845, to Samuel Edmiston, namely: William Alexander, cashier of the Monongahela National Bank, Fayette county, Penn., and James M., superintendent of the water-works at Atchison, Kans. On March 12, 1865, Mrs. Margaret A. Edmiston was married to George W. Harrison, son of James Harrison. James Harrison was born in Maryland, where he remained until about forty years of age. In early manhood he was united in marriage with Elizabeth Hedgel, a native of Berkeley county, W. Va., who bore him the following children: William, George W., James, Joseph (all born in West Virginia), Eliza (deceased), Mrs. Harriet Van Gilder (living in Centreville, Washington Co., Penn.) and Maria (deceased). In 1817 the family moved to Washington county, Penn., where the father was a cropper for several years, then rented a farm and finally settled near West Brownsville, Penn. He died in 1825, his widow in 1861. In politics he was an active member of the Whig party.
George W. Harrison was born in 1812, on the eastern shores of Maryland and when yet a small boy came with his parents to Pennsylvania. His father died soon afterwards, leaving no property, an being the eldest of the family, much of the care of his mother and younger children fell upon his youthful shoulders. The child bravely accepted the heavy responsibility thus suddenly thrust upon him, and continued to bear his share of the burden until the younger ones were old enough to support themselves. He was then released from that duty, but continued to work industriously, and carefully saved his earnings until he had accumulated a sufficient amount with which to purchase thirty acres of land in East Bethlehem township, this county. After buying this place, he proceeded to cultivate it to the highest extent, and soon sold it at a good profit, then went with his brother Joseph to Indiana, where they bought a farm which he also sold at a good price. The brothers returning to Washington county, Penn., purchased a handsome place on the National pike, in East Bethlehem township, where they resided together for one year. At the expiration of that time George W. Harrison sold his share to his brother, who is yet living on the place. After disposing of this property George W. Harrison bought 123 acres of well-improved, valuable land, upon which a handsome brick edifice has been erected. Mr. Harrison won his success by years of patient toil, and when he had attained prosperity was ever ready to lend a helping hand to others who were struggling upward. In politics he was a valued member of the Republican party, but invariably declined the political honors of which his friends vainly urged acceptance. The latter years of his life were filled with pain, and he was laid to rest January 5, 1890, in the beautiful ""God's acre" adjoining the Taylor M. E. church. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Harrison has continued to reside in her pleasant home, personally supervising the work on the farm. Her only daughter, Lillian, a cultured young lady, is living with her mother, and whose son, George W., died in infancy.
Text taken from page 712 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed April 1997 by Bobbi Steele of Indianapolis, IN as part of the Beers Project.
Published April 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]